Collapsible display container



July 21, Q J TOWELL GOLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Dec. 18, 1935 2SheetsSheet l Inventor-.- Oscar J T020622 y 1, 1936. o. J. TOWELLCOLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Dec. 18, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n vwflfi Z A Z MT r w o 0/ y 9 Ma a W52 9 0/ 3 WM 1 ZATN a Patented July21, 1936 PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY CONTADIER Oscar J. Towell,Chicago, 111., assignor to Bunte Brothers, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Application December 18,1933, Serial No. 702,928

11 Claims. (Cl. 229-41) The present invention relates to containers andw more particularly to containers of collapsible form adapted for thedisplay of small articles of merchandise on retail store counters.

One object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify theconstruction of containers of this type and to render such containersmore acceptable to retail dealers. A further object is to provide acollapsible container which can be formed from a minimum amount of stockand .which requires only a small amount of labor at the factory inpreparing it in collapsed form for use.

A further object is to provide an efiective form of bottom constructionfor a collapsible display container which requires no ingenuity on thepart of the user to set up in condition for display purposes.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In'the drawings:

5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the container taken along line II-II ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the blank partially 30 collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the container collapsed to occupy a spaceof minimum length and breadth;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form 35 of container; v

- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a further modified form of the bottomsections of the container,

and.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view of a still further 40 modified form of thebottom sections of the container.

The present invention, as described, provides a simple and effectivedisplay container in the form of a basket or tray which may be collapsed45 for storage or shipment so as to occupy a very small space, and onewhich can be set up by the average person without necessitating the useof instructions for the purpose, and which, when set up, will be durableand not likely to become 50 tom or disarranged through ordinaryhandling.

The container of the present invention is particularly advantageouswhere it is desired to display small articles of merchandise, such ascandy and other small packages of edibles, on a retailer's 55 counter.

Reference is herein made to my co-pending applications, Serial Number587,172, filed January 18. 1932, for Collapsible display container, andSerial Number 592,269, filed February 11, 1932, for Folding displaycontainers. 6

Referring more particularly to the drawings the container, indicated bythe number I, preferably comprises two sections la and lb, each of whichconstitute substantially one-half of the complete container. Each of thesections la and 10 lb are suitably scored to provide a plurality ofdownwardly tapering wall sections, herein indicated by the numerals 2,3, l, 5 and 6 on section ia, and numerals 1, 8, 9, Ill and II on sectionlb.

A display panel IC is preferably provided on sec- 15 tion la which issimilar to the display panel disclosed in the above mentioned pendingapplications and forms no part of the present invention.

The sections Ia and lb are further provided respectively withcooperating 'bottomsections I2 20 and I3 each of which is hingedlyconnected to a wall of the respective container sections la and lb.

In the present instance the bottom section I2 is integrally connected tothe wall 4 and the bottom section I3 is integrally connected to the wall9. Obviously, if desired, bottom sections l2 and I3 could be formedseparately, and adhesively secured to the walls 4 and 9 as illustratedin Fig. 5 to be later described.

The bottom sections l2 and I3 preferably inelude tapered lateralextensions l2a, lZb, and l3a, l3b, which are separated from the centralportions of the bottom sections by score lines as indicated. Theselateral extensions are of such dimensions as to cause the over-alllateral extent of the sections to be greater than the correspondingdiameter of the opening within the bottom edges of the side walls sothat, when the container is set up, the edges of the lateral extensionswill come into close fitting engagement with the side walls 2, 3; 5, 6;I, 8 and II), II above their lower edges, and with the extremities ofthe lateral extensions preferably substantially meeting at the line ofjuncture between walls 2 and II at one side of the container and walls 6and l on the other side.

The bottom sections l2 and i3 are preferably formed of such a length(that is, the dimension at right angles to their hinge connections withthe side walls) so that. when the container is set up for use, theeffective length of these bottom sections will equal substantiallyone-half of the diameter of the container measured between such hingeconnections. In other words, regardless of the exact length of thebottom sections, the total effective length of such sections shouldsubstantially equal the diameter of the container measured between thehinge connections. Thus, when the bottom sections are in bottom-formingposition, at least the central portions of the sections will lieapproximately in a common plane and form a substantially flat orhorizontal bottom between the above mentioned hinge lines.

Means are preferably provided for hingediy connecting the bottomsections I2 and I3 preferably along their meeting edges and, in thepresent instance, such means constitute members or portions extendingfrom the free edges of one or both of these bottom sections. Asillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the bottom section I2 is provided withtab extensions I4 and I5, and the bottom section I3 is provided with tabextensions I6, I1 and I8. The tab extensions I4 and I6 are preferablylocated on the sections I21) and I 3b respectively, and the tabextensions, I and I8 are located on the lateral extensions I20, and I3arespectively. The tab extension I1 is preferably, although notnecessarily, substantially equal in extent to the central portion of thesection I3.

In order to effect positive interlocking between the sections I2 and I3,the'tab extensions I4, I5, I6, II and I8 are preferably formed withlateral edge portions Ila, I511, etc., which engage with similarcooperating, lateral edge portions on the tab extensions on the oppositebottom section.

The container sections Ia and lb may be joined together in any desirablemanner. In the present instance this is accomplished by means ofextensions I9 and 20 on section lb which overlap the edges of the walls2 and G of section In and which are secured thereto as by means of thestaples illustrated.

In order to positively lock the bottom sections I2 and I3 in bottomforming position, locking or retaining means, herein shown as tabs 2Iand 22, are preferably provided on the walls 2 and 6 along the edges ofsection Ia. These tabs 2| and 212 are preferably somewhat offset backfrom the edges of walls 2 and 6 and are located so that their loweredges will engage at or near the extremities of the respective lateralextensions I2a, I2b and I311, I3b when the container is in set upcondition. By the use of the tabs 2| and 22 the bottom of the containermay be effectively retained in set up condition even though no means forinterlocking the sections are employed.

In the modified forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, theinterengagement of the vided with a pair of tab extensions H6 and II'I,

preferably located on the laterally extended portions 8 and II!ofsection II2, andsection II3is preferably formed with a tab extensionI20 dis-- posed centrally of the section and with additional tabextensions I2I and I22 located on the laterally extending portions I23and I24. In assembling the container constructed as just described, it

is only necessary to bring the bottom sections together and depress themdownward while tabs H6, III are engaged in the spaces between tabs I2II,I2I and I22. Thetabs on the respective sections each bear on the upperfaces of the opposite sections as illustrated.

In the modified form of invention, illustrated in Fig. 6, the bottomsections 2l2 and 2I3, (shown separated for the sake of cleamess) may behingedly connected to the lower edges of the inclined walls in anydesired manner. For the purpose of interlocking the bottom sections whenthe container is set up, one of the sections, herein shown as section2I3, is provided with a tab extension 220 in the central portion of thesection and with additional tab extensions HI and 222 located on thelaterally extending portions 223 and 224 of section 2I3. The section 220is preferably arranged to engage against the upper surface of section M2and the tab extensions 22I and 222 will preferably be disposed incontact with the underside of the respective lateral extension 2I8 and2I9 of bottom section 2I2. I

The bottom sections including the lateral extensions thereon arepreferably so constructed as to effect an automatic locking of thebottom when the container and bottom are in set up condition. For thispurpose the lateral extensions are'made of such a length so that whenthey are in bottom forming position they engage against the side wallsat a point above their lower edges so that the bottom of the containerwill assume a concave shape at right angles to the central section whichis approximately flat between the hinge connections with the side walls.Thus there will be a tendency for the central portions of one or both ofthe bottom sections to be at least slight: ly bent or bowed downwardtothus maintain the sections below a. neutral engaged position. In otherwords, the sections will be biased in the direction of downward movementrather than upward and will be thus held in bottom forming relationuntil positively displaced upward as by means of an upward pressure ofthe hand. The

retention of the bottom sections in set up position is also assured bythe retaining action of tabs 2i and 22 engaging against at least one ofthe latsuitable score lines impressed therein dividing the sections intocentral bottom portions and side extensions, the latter being indicatedat 3I2a and 3I3a respectively. Means are provided in this form of theinvention for eflecting a forceful engagement between the sideextensions and the side walls adjacent thereto. For this purpose theinclined edges of the extensions, instead of being made straight asillustrated in the previous forms, are made somewhat outwardly extendedor convex as indicated'at 3, 3", with the apex of the extended convexportions preferably 10- cat-ed near the terminus of the hinge betweenthe bottom section and its attached side wall. With the bottom membersconstructed in this manner 1 it is apparent that when they are broughtinto bottom forming position the extended portion 3 II on the lateralextensions will contact the adja cent side walls more forcefully than ifthe lateral extensions were cut on a straight line. Thus a definitebending stress will be produced at the corner of the hinge and the scoreline which will increase as the bottom sections reach a horizontalposition.

By this construction there will be a pressure exerted upon the sidewalls adjacent the wall to which the bottom is hinged. This pressureagainst the side walls will tension the lateral extensions in inclinedposition relatively to the central portions of the bottom sections andwill tend to facilitate the retention of the bottom in its set-upcondition so as to prevent the accidental collapse of the container evenwhen subjected to more orless rough handling. By this construction it isalso possible to eliminate the use of tabs, such as tabs 2| and 22, ifdesired.

For the purpose of stiffening the lateral extremities of the bottom soas to cause such extremities to exert an increased pressure against theside walls, one pair of extensions, in the present instance extension3|3a, 3i3a, are each formed to provide a convexly shaped extendedportion 3l5 which is adapted to extend beyond the central line of thebottom when the same is in set-up condition, and to engage a substantialarea of the edge of the opposite bottom section. This arrangementprovides adouble thickness of material extending inwardly a substantialdistance along lines centrally of the bottom and thus will substantiallystiffen the lateral extremities of the bottom. Therefore when the bottomis in set-up condition there will be a greater force exerted against theside walls than in the case where the extensions are made as illustratedin Fig. 1. Thus, when the bottom is in position with the side extensionsbearing against the side walls, there will be less tendency for thebottom to be displaced upwardly due to improper handling. By the use ofeither one or both types of extended portions 3" and 3I5 on the lateralextensions it is possible to obtain an even more positive retention ofthe bottom sections in their bottom forming position and thus permit theentire elimination of the tabs 2| and 22 if for any reason these tabsmay not be desired.

In the manufacture of the container of the present invention it is onlynecessary to cut out the container sections, suitably scoring them atthe same time in a manner well known in the art, after which thesections are joined by stapling or gluing the sections l9 and 20 to theedges of walls 2 and 6 Then, if desired, the factory operative mayengage the tab extensions as indicated in Fig. 1 and the container isthen ready to be collapsed as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. If desired,the engagement of the tab extensions may beleft to the user of thecarton. By col- -lapsing the container flat and then folding over 55 thewall sections 2 and II at one side and the wall sections 6 and I at theother side, as indicated in Fig. 4, the container may thus be folded soas to occupy a minimum length and still not in any way adversely affectthe container. This feature is of particular advantage when it isdesired to insert the container in an ordinary shipping case togetherwith a quantity of candy or other articles to be subsequently unpackedand displayed in the container of the present invention.

When the user of the carton receives it, it is only necessary for him toset it up by spreading the main container sections and pressing downwardon the bottom sections so as to bring them to a horizontal position.When this has been done the laterally extending portions on the bottomsections l2 and i3 will engage against walls 2, 3; 5, 6; I, 8 and [0, iiand hold them firmly in expanded position. At the same time the 75lateral extensions will form a satisfactory-and neat appearing bottomfor the reason that they fit closely against the sections justmentioned.

From the foregoing it is apparent'that the container of the presentinvention is not only simple and convenient to make and set up, but atthe same time the parts are so related as to form an attractive yetsturdy and durable display container that can be effectively employed inselling small items of merchandise such as candy bars and the like.

The small space occupied by the container when collapsed makes itpossible to pack the container in the same shipping carton that holdsthe goods which it is desired to display and it is a simple matter for aretailer to set up the display container and then transfer the contentsof the shipping carton to the display container.

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of theinvention, numerous changes may be made in the construction and processof assembly without departing from the spirit of the invention, and itis therefore desired that the present embodiment be-considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to theappended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate thescope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A collapsible container having inclined, in-

terconnected side walls converging toward their lower ends, and a bottomfor the container comprising two sections hingedly connected to oppositeside walls adjacent their lower edges, the total effective length ofsaid sections being substantially equal to the diameter of the containerthrough the points of connection of the sections to the side walls, andinterlocking members ex tending respectively from the free edge portionsof said sections whereby the sections may be loosely interlocked toprevent the sections from bending downward substantially beyond theirnormal bottom forming position, portions of said sections beingongageable with portions of said inclined side walls when said sectionsare in interlocked'position whereby to be partially supported thereon.

2. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, and a bottom for the container com--prising two sections hingedly connected to opposite side walls adjacenttheir lower edges, the total effective length of said sections beingsubstantially equal to the diameter of the container through the pointsof connection of the sections to the side walls, and spaced tabsextending from the free edge of at least one of said sections andadapted to engage the edge of the other section whereby the sections maybe loosely interlocked to, prevent the sections from bending downwardsubstantially beyond their normal bottom forming position, portions ofsaid sections being engageable with portions of said inclined side wallswhen said sections are in interlocked position whereby to be partiallysupported thereon.

3. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, and a bottom for the containercomprising two separate sections hingedly connected to opposite sidewalls adjacent their lower edges, the total effective length of saidsections being substantially equal to the diameter of the containerthrough the points of connection of the sections to the side walls, andthe lateral dimenthan the corresponding diameter of the opening at thelower end of the side walls to cause the lateral edge portions of saidsections to engage the adjacent inclined side walls intermediate theirtop and bottom edges whereby the said lateral edge portions, when thesections are in bottom forming position, will fit closely against theside walls intermediate the respective hinged connections of thesections to the side walls and be partially supported thereon.

4. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, a bottom for the containercomprising two sections hingedly connected to opposite side wallsadjacent their lower edges, the total effective length of said sectionsbeing substan tially equal to the diameter of the container through thepoints of connection of the sections to the side walls, interlockingmembers extending respectively from the free edge portions of saidsections whereby the sections may be interlocked to prevent the sectionsfrom bending downward substantially beyond their normal bottom formingposition, and laterally extending tapered portions on said sectionsextending respectively at a distance from the central portions of thesections so that, when the bottom sections are in bottom formingposition the lateral edges thereof will engage the adjacent inclinedside walls at points above their bottom edges.

5. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, and a bottom for the containercomprising two sections hingedly connected to opposite side wallsadjacent their lower edges, the total efiective length of said sectionsbeing substantially equal to the diameter of the container through thepoints of connection of the sections to the side walls, and interlockingmembers extending respectively from the free edge portions of saidsections whereby the sections may be interlocked to prevent the sectionsfrom bending downward substantially beyond their normal bottom formingposition, the lateral extent of said sections being somewhat greaterthan the diameter of the opening at the lower edges of the side wallswhereby when the bottom sections ly equal to the diameter of thecontainer through the points of connection of the sections to the sidewalls whereby the central portion of the bottom will extendapproximately horizontally betweensaid hinge connections, the width ofsaid bottom sections being substantially greater than the diameter ofthe opening at the lower edges of the side walls at right angles to saidfirst mentioned diameter whereby, when the bottom is in set up position,it will assume a concave shape along the width thereof due to theengagement of the lateral portions of the sections with the side wallsabove their lower edges, and means on said side walls adapted to engagesaid lateral portions of the bottom sections to maintain the bottom insaid concave shape.

'sions of said sections being substantially greater '7. A collapsiblecontainer having inclined, interconnected side walls converging towardtheir lower. ends, a bottom for the container comprising two sectionshingedly connected to each other along their meeting edges and hingedlyconnected at their opposite edges to opposite side walls adjacent thelower edges of said walls whereby the operation of opening of thecontainer from collapsed condition will cause the bottom sections toassume a bottom forming position, the width of the bottom centrallythereof and parallel to said hinge connections being such as to causethe lateral side edges to engage the adjacent side walls of thecontainer above their bottom edges, and means on said side walls adaptedto engage downwardly against the lateral edges of the bottomintermediate the hinge connections of the bottom with the side wallswhereby the bottom will be maintained in set-up condition.

8. A collapsible container having inclined, in- 20 terconnected sidewalls converging toward their lower ends, a bottom for the containercomprising two sections hingedly connected to opposite side wallsadjacent their lower edgea'the total effective length of such sectionsbeing substantially equal to the diameter of the container through thepoints of connection of the sections to the side walls, means forinterlocking the adjacent edges of the bottom sections, and laterallyextending tapered portions on said sections extendlngrespectively to adistance from the central portions of the sections so that, when thebottom sections are in bottom forming position, the lateral edgesthereof will engage the adjacent inclined side walls at points abovetheir bottom edges, and means comprising extended portions on saidlateral extensions adapted to forcefully engage the side walls adjacentthe terminus of the hinge between the bottom sections and theirrespective attached side walls whereby when the bottom sections are inset-up position the tension produced by the engagement of the saidextended portions against the adjacent side walls will facilitate theretention of the bottom sections in bottom forming position.

9. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, a bottom for the containercomprising two sections hingedly connected to opposite side wallsadjacent their lower edges, the efiective length of each of saidsections being substantially equal to one-half of the diameter of thecontainer through the points of connection of the sections to the sidewalls, means for interlocking the adjacent edges of the bottom sections,and laterally extending tapered portions on said sections extendingrespectively to a distanceirom the central portions of the sections sothat, when the bottom sections are in bottom forming position, thelateral edges thereof will engage the adjacent inclined side walls atpoints above their lower edges, and means for stiiiening the lateralextremities of the bottom, said means comprising extended portions onthe respective lateral tapered extensions on one of the sections, eachsuch extended portion being adapted to engage a substantial area alongthe adjacent edge of the opposite bottom section whereby a doublethickness of material will be provided extending inwardly a substantialdistance from the points of contact of the lateral extremities of thebottom with the side walls at each side of the container.

10. A collapsible container having inclined, interconnected side wallsconverging toward their lower ends, a bottom comprising two separatesections hingedly connected to opposite side walls adjacent the loweredge of said walls, the total effective length of said sections beingsubstantially equal to the diameter of the container through the pointsof connection of the sections to the side walls whereby the centralportion of the bottom will extend approximately horizontally betweensaid hinge connections, the width of said bottom sections beingsubstantially greater than the diameter of the opening at the loweredges of the side walls at right angles to said first mentioned diameterwhereby, when the bottom is in set up position, it will assume a concaveshape along the width thereof due to the engagement member to maintainthe bottom in said concave shape.

11. A collapsible container having interconnected side walls and abottom for the container comprising two sections hingedly connected toopposite side walls adjacent their lower edges, the total effectivelength of said sections being substantially equal to the diameter of thecontainer through the points of connection of the sections to the sidewalls, and means on the free edge 10 portion of one of the sectionsadapted to engage loosely with the other section, portions of saidsections being engageable with portions formed on said side walls whensaid sections are in enof the lateral portions of the sections with theside walls above their lower edges, and means on one of said elementsadapted to engage the other gaged position whereby to be partiallysupported 1 thereon.

OSCAR J. TOWELL.

